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The Poetaster; or, His Arraignment, a play by Ben Jonson |
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Act 4 - Scene 2 |
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_ ACT IV - SCENE II SCENE II.-A Room in Lupus's House. [Enter Lupus, HISTRIO, and Lictors.]
Lup. Come, let us talk here; here we may be private; shut the door, lictor. You are a player, you say. Hist. Ay, an't please your worship. Lup. Good; and how are you able to give this intelligence? Hist. Marry, sir, they directed a letter to me and my fellow-- sharers. Lup. Speak lower, you are not now in your theatre, stager:--my sword, knave. They directed a letter to you, and your fellow-sharers: forward. Hist. Yes, sir, to hire some of our properties; as a sceptre and crown for Jove; and a caduceus for Mercury; and a petasus-- Lup. Caduceus and petasus! let me see your letter. This is a conjuration: a conspiracy, this. Quickly, on with my buskins: I'll act a tragedy, i'faith. Will nothing but our gods serve these poets to profane? dispatch! Player, I thank thee. The emperor shall take knowledge of thy good service. [A knocking within.] Who's there now? Look, knave. [Exit Lictor.] A crown and a sceptre! this is good rebellion, now. Lic. 'Tis your pothecary, sir, master Minos. Lup. What tell'st thou me of pothecaries, knave! Tell him, I have affairs of state in hand; I can talk to no apothecaries now. Heart of me! Stay the pothecary there. [Walks in a musing posture.] You shall see, I have fish'd out a cunning piece of plot now: they have had some intelligence, that their project is discover'd, and now have they dealt with my apothecary, to poison me; 'tis so; knowing that I meant to take physic to-day: as sure as death, 'tis there. Jupiter, I thank thee, that thou hast. yet made me so much of a politician. You are welcome, sir; take the potion from him there; I have an antidote more than you wot of, sir; throw it on the ground there: so! Now fetch in the dog; and yet we cannot tarry to try experiments now: arrest him; you shall go with me, sir; I'll tickle you, pothecary; I'll give you a glister, i'faith. Have I the letter? ay, 'tis here.--Come, your fasces, lictors: the half pikes and the Halberds, take them down from the Lares there. Player, assist me. [As they are going out, enter MECAENAS and HORACE.] Mec. Whither now, Asinius Lupus, with this armory? Lup. I cannot talk now; I charge you assist me: treason! treason! Hor. How! treason? Lup. Ay: if you love the emperor, and the state, follow me. [Exeunt.] _ |
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